Liquid holding system with integral straw

ABSTRACT

An integrated straw and container. The container includes an interior bottom surface and defines an opening near an upper portion of the container. A cap can be placed onto the container to close the container, and then removed to open the container. The straw includes a shape that operates as a spring operates to create two states: a resting or expanded state and a compressed state. In the resting state of the straw, the overall distance from the first end to the second end is greater than the distance from the interior bottom surface of the container to the opening of the container. The straw is placed into the container and the container is sealed forcing the straw into a compressed state. Upon removal of the cap, the straw returns to a resting state in which the upper end protrudes from the container opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to liquid holding systems and, more particularly, to liquid holding systems having an integral means for extracting the contained liquid. Specifically, disclosed herein is a system that comprises, at a minimum, a container with an integral straw aspect.

One could argue that our lives today are busier than ever. Perhaps one of the most demanding occupations of today's hectic lifestyles is that of the proverbial soccer mom. Every waking hour for a soccer mom entails service to her kids and, sometimes, even kids belonging to other soccer moms. She carts kids to school, band practice, baseball tryouts, music lessons, play dates, church functions, etc., etc., and so forth. There is seemingly no end to the demands on her time. Is it any surprise, therefore, that the preferred victuals of soccer moms everywhere is not the product of hours slaved in her kitchen but, rather, the contents of a bag passed through a fast food drive-through window? Should we find it curious that she doesn't truck her carload of kids home to sit down at a dining room table but, rather, frequently opts to dole out the ready-made fare to her juvenile passengers as she continues on to the next appointment?

Regardless of how we would prefer a soccer mom to provide comestibles to those in her care, we must admit that her methods are inevitably born from extreme demands on her time. While pulling through a drive-through window is one way to quickly distribute nourishment to the kids in her backseat, the process is not without its unique hassles. For instance, a particularly cumbersome step involves inserting straws into drink containers before passing them back to the parched passengers.

Though the task of inserting straws into containers sounds simple on its face, it is actually a multi-step process in, and of, itself. The first step, of course, is to remove a cap, top, cover or otherwise open the container. Next, as it is commonplace for liquid containers purchased at restaurants to be equipped with safety seals, any seal must be at least partially removed in anticipation of inserting a straw. Third, the straw itself must be extracted from its paper or plastic wrapper prior to being inserted into the freshly opened container. Only after the combination of the aforementioned steps can the assembled drink system finally be passed to the waiting hands in the backseat.

It should also be noted that many dental professionals recommend that individuals should consume drinks with a straw. The use of a straw directs liquids around the teeth and into the throat. For many liquids, especially those with sugar or staining capabilities, the use of a straw advantageously promotes the maintenance of strong and healthy teeth. As such, there is a need in the art to facilitate the ease of use and availability of straws for beverages.

Notably, the common system and method outlined above is not only involved in its steps but also produces waste in the multiple forms of the drink container, the safety seal, the straw, and the straw wrapper. Further, it is cumbersome to assemble and prone to spillage when wielded by children in the backseat of a moving vehicle. Therefore, what is needed in the art is a system for the delivery of a liquid that includes an integral straw aspect, is operable to be safely sealed until use, requires minimal steps in preparation of use, and produces minimal articles of waste.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Various embodiments, aspects and features of the disclosure encompass a system and/or a method for the delivery of a liquid to customers of a food establishment, convenience store, or other outlet. Various embodiments include an integrated straw and container. One embodiment includes a container defining an interior portion suitable for containing a liquid. The container includes an interior bottom surface and defines an opening near an upper portion of the container. The opening defines a cap receptacle that can receive a cap. The cap can be placed onto the container to close the container, and then removed to open the container. In some embodiments the cap may be replaceable. Further, the embodiment includes a tube having a first end and a second end. The tube, which functions as a straw, includes a shape that operates as a spring. For instance, the shape may be a helical coil, an S bend, a curve or any of a variety of other configurations. The shape, which will be referred to as the spring, resides between the first end and the second end of the tube. As such, the tube has two states: a resting or expanded state and a compressed state. In the resting state of the tube, the overall distance from the first end to the second end is greater than the distance from the interior bottom surface of the container to the opening of the container. In operation, the tube and a liquid are placed into the container and the container is sealed. In sealing the container, the tube is forced into a compressed state wherein the tube is compressed in the interior of the container between a lower surface of the cap and the interior bottom surface. The spring retains a force in a compressed state that is released when the cap is removed and the tube can return to a resting state in which the upper end of the tube protrudes from the container opening.

This and various other embodiments will be more fully described in the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, collectively referred to as FIG. 1, illustrate a cross-sectional view of a coiled spring straw embodiment in the closed state and the open state.

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the liquid delivery system in a sealed position, which features a straight straw, a top guide, and a convertible bottle profile.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the liquid delivery system in an open position, which features a straight straw, a top guide, and a convertible bottle profile.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the liquid delivery system that includes a straw component with a bendable joint.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the liquid delivery system that includes a straw feature that is integral to the wall of the container.

FIG. 5 is yet another embodiment of a container with an expandable straw.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments and aspects of the present invention provide a solution to the above-described need in the art, as well as other needs in the art by providing the user with a liquid holding device that contains an integral straw. Additional aspects of the invention may provide a user with a system operable to be hermetically sealed or otherwise sealed for safety. Further, advantageous aspects of the disclosed system may include convenience and simplicity of operation or the production of minimal waste.

Embodiments of the disclosed system are useful for the delivery of products including, but not limited to, milk, juice, low viscosity yogurt products or the like. Variations of embodiments of the liquid delivery system disclosed herein comprise a straw aspect that is either integral to the liquid holding container or, at least, readily contained within the overall system. Advantageously, the inclusion of the straw aspect alleviates the need for a user to apply a separate straw device in order to gain access to the liquid contained within.

Users of embodiments of the disclosed system may be required to remove a cap, puncture a seal, or apply a force in order to position an integral straw aspect such that liquid can be extracted. Regardless of the specific method for conversion to a form operable to provide access to a gained liquid, embodiments of the system reduce the number of separate devices and/or steps and provide a user with a convenient, efficiently packaged liquid delivery system

Turning now to the figures, where like labels represent like elements throughout the drawings, various aspects, features and embodiments of the present invention will be presented in more detail. The examples as set forth in the drawings and detailed description are provided by way of explanation of the invention and are not meant as limitations of the invention. The present invention thus includes any modifications and variations of the following examples as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, collectively referred to as FIG. 1, illustrate a cross-sectional view of a coiled spring straw embodiment in the closed state and the open state. FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the liquid delivery system, in a sealed state or unopened state, that includes a straw aspect with a pre-loaded spring constant. The main container 100 of the system may be comprised of plastic, glass, cellulose or any other material known to those skilled in the art. Notably, the particular shape or material of construction for the main container 100 of various embodiments may be novel all its own but should not limit the scope of the invention. Contained within the space 140 defined by the main container 100 is a coiled straw 120 aspect, the bottom opening 110 of which is in the vicinity of the bottom most surface of the main container 100. It should be appreciated that in lieu of or in addition to bottom opening 110, the straw may have a plurality of holes positioned proximate to the bottom of the container to facilitate the extraction of liquid from the container. It should also be appreciated that although the straw is shown as including a helical coil or spring-like configuration that a variety of other shapes or structures could be used to provide the same effect. In general, any shape that would allow the straw to compress when a force is applied between the ends and then expand again to a resting state when the force is removed. Thus, non-limiting examples of other shapes may include an “S”, a square wave, a horseshoe or “U” or “C” shaped bend, a saw tooth, etc. The coiled straw 120 may also be described as a compression spring with an associated constant, k, the value of which will be known to those skilled in the art.

The FIG. 1 embodiment is shown in a sealed or unopened state. The cap 130 is operable to seal the main container 100 and apply a force that compresses the coiled straw 120. Advantageously, a safety seal of a type to known to those skilled in the art may be applied directly beneath the cap 130 and above the coiled straw 120.

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view of the opened container. When the cap 130, and safety seal if applicable, is removed from the main container 100, the coiled straw 120 is free to expand from its compressed state and a portion of the straw 125 then extends above the uppermost surface of the main container 100. Advantageously, a user can easily extract the liquid contents via suction applied to the coiled straw 120.

FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, collectively referred to as FIG. 2, are cross-sectional views of another embodiment that includes a pop-up straw. FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of the liquid delivery system in a sealed or unopened state, which features a straw, typically a straight straw but it could also be curved angled etc. 220, a top guide 250, and a main bottle profile 200 operable to be converted to a different shape. The main bottle 200 features weak points 210 in the base area that provides a means by which the base 260 of the container 200 can be deflected upward. When in the sealed state, however, the weak points 210 are not employed and the base 260 of the main container 200 is roughly level.

Similar to the embodiment described relative to FIG. 1, a main container 200 defines a space 240 useful to contain a liquid and a straw 220 feature. Different from the FIG. 1 embodiment, however, the straw 220 depicted in FIG. 2 is of a traditional, straight tube design; however those skilled in the art will appreciate that the features depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 could be combined into a third embodiment. In addition, the straw depicted in FIG. 2 may also be curved or kinked to prevent the straw from being easily removed from the container. In addition, the straw may be angled such that the lower end of the straw will rest near a low edge of the interior area 240 and then bend prior to reaching the upper end to allow the straw to extend up through the opening. The straw 220 is of a length that makes it operable to simultaneously communicate with the base 260 of the main container 200 and a positioning feature 250 integral to the underside of the top of the main container 200. Notably, a safety seal may be featured beneath the cap 230 and above the straw 220. Unlike the embodiment described in FIG. 1, however, the straw is not necessarily loaded by the force of a tightened cap 230.

FIG. 2B depicts the same embodiment shown in FIG. 2A, except in an open state. The cap 230 is shown removed from the main container 200. Once the cap 230 is removed, a user may apply a force 270 to the underside of the base 260 of the main container 200. The upward force 270 operates to deflect the base 260 at the weak points 210 and push the straw 220 through an opening defined by the integral top guides 250. Advantageously, the opening defined by the integral top guides 250 may be easily sealed with a safety seal that can be punctured when the upward force 270 forces is applied to the straw 220 via the base 260. While the embodiment depicted shows a main container 200 with a base 270 area featuring weak points 210, it should be appreciated that any number of deflectable profiles known to those skilled in the art may be employed without limiting the scope of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the liquid delivery system that includes a straw 320 component with a bendable joint 330. Similar to the embodiments described prior, the FIG. 3 embodiment features a straw 320 component contained within the space 340 defined by a main container 300. An additional aspect depicted in FIG. 3, which may also be included in other embodiments, is a straw shape operable to place the end of the straw 310 in a corner of the space 340 defined by the main container 300. The straw 320 depicted features an accordion style bend 330 in the upper portion of the straw 320 that provides a means by which the straw portion 350 exterior to the main container 300 may communicate with the top of the main container 300. Advantageously, the exterior portion of the straw 350 may be sealed to the top of the main container 300 until a user desires access to the contained liquid.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the liquid delivery system that includes a straw feature 420 that is integral to the wall of the container 400. In this embodiment, the lower end 410 of the straw 420 extends through the wall and into the space 440 defined by the main container 400. Advantageously, there are no moving parts in the depicted embodiment as the straw 420 is integral to wall of the main container 400. The top opening of the straw may be sealed according to methods known to those skilled in the art. To gain access to the liquid contained within, a user may remove any seal over the top of the straw 430.

FIG. 5 is yet another embodiment of a container with an expandable straw. This embodiment includes a container 500 and a tube 520. In this embodiment, the tube 520 is attached to the interior bottom surface 502 of the container 500. The tube 520 includes an orifice 522 at the point of attachment with the bottom surface 502 which allows liquid to be drawn through the interior of the tube 520. The tube also includes an expandable portion 524, such as an accordion type structure. When the top 524 is removed, the tube 520 can be griped and pulled to expand the expandable portion 524 to protrude from the container 500 opening. The tube 520 can be attached to the bottom surface 502 in a variety of manners including sonic welding or the like, or even be integral to the container. In other embodiments, the tube 520 may not be attached at all but rather can be easily removed from the container, expanded and then reinserted. In other embodiments, where the cap 524 is a pull off cap or in which a seal is placed under the cap, the tube may also be attached to the underside of the cap or seal. In such an embodiment, as the cap or seal is removed, the tube 520 automatically expands due to the force being applied in lifting the cap or seal while the tube 520 is attached to the bottom surface 502. Once expanded, the cap or seal can be twisted off of the tube 520. In other similar embodiments in which the tube 520 is not connected to the bottom surface 502, the tube may be connected to the underside of the cap or seal. As the cap or seal is removed, a user can gain access to the tube 520, expand the tube 520 and then place the tube back into the container.

Various aspects, features and characteristics of the present invention have been described. Not all of the aspects, features or characteristics are required for each and every embodiment of the present invention. However, it will be appreciated that the various aspects, features, characteristics and combinations thereof may be considered novel in and of themselves. Further documentation in support of the description detailed herein is appended to this application. 

1. An integrated straw and container comprising: a container defining an interior portion suitable for containing a liquid, the container including an interior bottom surface and defining an opening near an upper portion of the container, the opening defining a cap receptacle; a cap that mates with the cap receptacle of the container for sealing the container; and a tube having a first end and a second end and being formed in the shape of a helical coil over at least a portion of the length between the first end and the second end, the tube being constructed such that in a resting state, the overall distance from the first end to the second end is greater than the distance from the interior bottom surface of the container to the opening of the container and, when the tube is compressed in the interior of the container between a lower surface of the cap and the interior bottom surface, the helical coil retains a force in a compressed state that is released when the cap is removed and the tube can return to a resting state.
 2. An integrated straw and container comprising: a container that defines an interior portion suitable for containing a liquid; and a tube that resides in the interior portion of the container in a sealed state and, which can be partially extracted from the container for dispensing of the liquid when the container is opened.
 3. The integrated straw and container of claim 2, wherein the tube includes an upper end and a lower end and a structure that resides over at least a portion of the tube between the upper end and the lower end such that when a force is applied on one end towards the other end, that the structure compresses and when the force is removed, the structure decompresses.
 4. The integrated straw and container of claim 3, wherein the structure is an S bend.
 5. The integrated straw and container of claim 3, wherein the structure is a helical coil.
 6. The integrated straw and container of claim 5, wherein the container further defines a cap receptacle for receiving a cap, wherein when the cap is placed onto the container the tube is forced into a compressed state.
 7. The integrated straw and container of claim 5, wherein the container further defines a cap receptacle for receiving a cap, wherein when the cap is positioned on the container, the tube is held in a compressed state and when the cap is removed from the container the tube expands to an at rest state.
 6. The integrated straw and container of claim 5, wherein the container further defines an opening for receiving a seal, wherein when the seal is placed over the opening of the container the tube is forced into a compressed state.
 7. The integrated straw and container of claim 6, wherein the seal is a screw on cap.
 8. The integrated straw and container of claim 5, wherein the container further defines an opening for receiving a seal, wherein when the seal is positioned on the container, the tube is held in a compressed state and when the seal is removed from the container the tube expands to an at rest state.
 9. The integrated straw and container of claim 6, wherein the seal is a screw on cap. 